By: Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS
Director of Transition Providers, NESCA
- Knowledgeable Clinicians with Specialised Coaching
Our group of transition specialists brings many years of expertise supporting teenagers and younger adults with a variety of wants, from delicate to advanced. As Director of Transition Providers, I’ve intently skilled and supervised every of our specialists. Collectively, we now have multidisciplinary experience spanning steerage counseling, college psychology, particular training, occupational remedy, and vocational rehabilitation counseling. This breadth of data permits us to deeply perceive every scholar’s wants as they relate to postsecondary dwelling, studying, coaching, and dealing. Moreover, our group collaborates with NESCA’s neuropsychologists and different professional clinicians, making certain each evaluation is thorough, individualized, and aligned with finest practices. - Complete, Individualized Method
We consider transition planning must be as distinctive as every scholar we serve. Evaluation at NESCA at all times begins with a radical consumption and file overview to construct an entire image of the scholar’s identified skills and areas of want—and an understanding of what should be uncovered by the analysis course of. We mix formal and casual instruments, useful evaluations, and enter from college students, households, colleges, and different suppliers. We additionally supply situational assessments at school, residence, and neighborhood environments. This complete method ensures we uncover significant objectives and develop actionable methods to assist postsecondary success. - Clear, Complete Suggestions
Transition assessments lay the inspiration for efficient transition planning and IEP providers. NESCA’s evaluations clearly establish measurable postsecondary objectives within the required areas of dwelling, studying and/or coaching, and employment. We take the time to uncover college students’ strengths, preferences, and pursuits whereas offering tailor-made suggestions for the instruction, providers, neighborhood experiences, and progress monitoring wanted to progress towards their objectives. Our experience extends to important areas, similar to planning for age of majority, course of research, and commencement timelines, and we at all times totally adhere to particular training tips as unbiased evaluators. - A Tradition of Collaboration and Assist
Collaboration is on the coronary heart of NESCA’s method. Our clinicians meet repeatedly to share insights and techniques, making certain each analysis displays our collective experience. We additionally keep sturdy connections with colleges, companies, and neighborhood assets, offering households with actionable plans and ongoing steerage. Transition planning requires teamwork, and we wish to be lively members of our college students’ groups. We’re right here to assist colleges and households, whether or not by group conferences, follow-up evaluations, ongoing teaching, or consultations at key factors in a scholar’s journey. - Empowering Youth, Households, and Colleges
At NESCA, we prioritize the scholar’s voice. We empower college students to foster self-determination, independence, and confidence as they put together for the long run. We additionally acknowledge the vital roles of households and educators within the course of, making certain their views are included and valued. NESCA’s transition assessments present not only a roadmap however the instruments, understanding, and collaboration wanted to maneuver ahead with goal.
Concerning the Writer
Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS, is an professional transition specialist and nationwide speaker with over 20 years of expertise supporting youth and
younger adults with various developmental and studying skills. Since 2013, she has served as Director of Transition Providers at NESCA, providing individualized transition assessments, planning, session, teaching, and program improvement. She focuses on working with college students with advanced profiles who might not have interaction with conventional testing instruments or packages. Ms. Challen holds a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Hispanic Research from The Faculty of William and Mary, together with a Grasp’s and Certificates of Superior Graduate Research in Danger and Prevention Counseling from the Harvard Graduate College of Training. She is a member of CEC, DCDT, and COPAA, believing it’s important for all IEP members to have correct details about transition planning. Ms. Challen has additionally been actively concerned within the MA DESE IEP Enchancment Undertaking, mentored candidates in UMass Boston’s Transition Management Program, and co-authored a chapter in Expertise Instruments for College students with Autism.
To schedule an appointment with one in all NESCA’s transition specialists, please full our on-line consumption type.
NESCA is a pediatric neuropsychology follow and integrative therapy middle with places of work in Newton, Plainville, and Hingham, Massachusetts; Londonderry, New Hampshire; the larger Burlington, Vermont area; and Brooklyn, NY (teaching providers solely) serving shoppers from infancy by younger maturity and their households. For extra data, please e mail data@nesca-newton.com or name 617-658-9800.
